Press Release

EPP Group in favour of capping CO2 emissions for trucks

EPP Group backs Commission’s proposal to cut CO2 emissions for trucks, but urges that we remain realistic

The EPP Group in the European Parliament welcomes today's legislative proposal to cut CO2 emissions for trucks by 2030.

"This is the first time the European Union has tried to cap CO2 emissions for trucks. We need to make sure that the framework of the legislation is well-structured and keeps the balance between competitiveness and our ambitious climate policies", said Christofer Fjellner MEP, EPP Group Spokesman in the Environment Committee.

Data shows that in 2015, transport contributed just over a quarter of all EU greenhouse gas emissions, with heavy vehicles like trucks and buses accounting for a 5 percent overall share. "We should set ambitious goals, but it is also important that we are realistic. If not, our ambitions will end up being mere figures", stressed Fjellner.

The Commission’s proposal focuses on tailpipe emission figures, represented in CO2, emitted as a result of the combustion of fuels such as natural gas, petrol, biodiesel blends, diesel, fuel oil or coal. "To succeed in the decarbonisation of transport, however, we need an integrated approach. We need to look at the entire life-cycle of the trucks and use a well-to-wheel perspective", he continued.

"The baseline of the legislation has to be robust, the classification of vehicles will be crucial and we need to build in some flexibility, as the lorry industry has very long production cycles", concluded Fjellner.